Pipe holding attachment for c-clamps and vises

ABSTRACT

Utilization and attachment of two V-type units, oppositely positioned onto a conventional C-clamp, a machinist&#39;&#39;s vise, a woodworker&#39;&#39;s vise and other clamping devices, enables positive clamping of cross-sectionally curved objects, such as pipe and tubing. Two cross-sectionally curved objects may be positioned and positively held at any angle with respect to each other by use of alternate embodiment of invention. Other embodiments of invention utilizing magnetic forces provide 360* jaw rotation and permit rapid interchange of jaws of various sizes and configurations for use with either vises or C-clamps.

United States Patent [191 Kotter 1 Sept. 3, 1974 PIPE HOLDING ATTACHMENTFOR C-CLAMPS AND VISES [76] Inventor: James lvy Kotter, 3120 49th St.,

Metairie, La. 70001 [22] Filed: Nov. 6, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 304,275

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.126,471, March 22,

[52] US. Cl. 269/276, 269/270 [51] Int. Cl B25b 5/16 [58] Field ofSearch 269/258, 259, 261, 269,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,284,449 5/1942 Rodess269/283 X 2,666,352 1/1954 Philips 269/276 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 254,039 5/1963 Australia 269/276 932,240 8/1955 Germany269/282 Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-E. F. DesmondAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Sweckcr & Mathis [5 7] ABSTRACT 8Claims, 3 Drawing Figures r i 2N9 Me Me PIPE HOLDING ATTACHMENT FORC-CLAMPS AND-VISES This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 126,471 filed Mar. 22, 1971.

This invention relates to a device which provides a means forconventional C-clamps, machinists and woodworkers vises, and otherclamping devices to positively hold cross-sectionally curved objects,such as pipe, tubing, shaft, cams, et cetera.

More specifically, it relates to a device which provides a means foreasy attachment to conventional C- clamps, machinists and woodworkersvises, wherein the grasping surfaces of the device, by virtue of theirrespective angularity' and relative position, positively hold curvedobjects, such as pipe, et cetera.

Still more specifically, the invention provides a means for twocross-sectionally curved objects such as, for example, pipe, tubing, androd, to be positioned and firmly held at any angle with respect to eachother for various shop operations such aswelding, brazing, or gluing. i

The use of the term curved objects in presenting anddescribing thisinvention is intended to mean, for example, any material havingcross-sectionally circular, ellipitical, spherical, or non-uniformlycurved configurations, such as pipe, tubing, shafting, dowel, ball,cams, or curved extrusions.

To those skilled in the art of and familiar with automobile, machine,welding, plumbing, pneumatic, hydraulic, woodworking, and furniture shopequipment and practices, it is well known that conventional machinistsand woodworkers vises will not positively hold and maintain exactpositioning of curved objects when relatively high force is applied tothe object, for example as in threading, drilling, filing, screwing,bolting, removing or installing fittings. Thus, it is necessary for allshops to install pipe vises and/or vises equipped with pipe jaws.

Positive holding of curved objects with conventional C-clamps hasheretofore been impossible.

It is an object of this invention to provide attachable means forconventional C-clamps, machinists and woodworkers vises and otherclamping devices to positively hold curved objects such as pipe, rod,tubing, cylinders, cams, shafts, or dowels.

Another object of this invention is to provide easily attachable,self-supporting means for conventional C- clamps, machinists, andwoodworkers vises, wherein sufficient holding surfaces are angularlypositioned and opposed, to lock curved objects into a stationaryposition, when screw mechanism of the C-clamp, machinists andwoodworkers vise is tightened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holding means whereintwo curved objects such as pipes, tubes, rods, or dowels can bepositioned and positively held at any angle relative to each other bymeans of swivel connection incorporated into an alternate embodiment ofthe invention for vise-jaw attachment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide greater contact orholding areas than in conventional pipe clamps.

A further object of this. invention is to provide four contact holdingsurfaces, two on each side of the curved object resulting in balancedholding forces.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a means forgreatly reducing marring and distorting 2 curved objects caused byconventional clamping means.

Another object of this invention is to incorporate magneticallyattachable jaw units into a vise attachment to provide 360 jaw rotationand a means whereby jaws of various sizes and configurations may beeasily and quickly interchanged.

A further object of this invention is to provide a means whereby thesame magnetically attachable jaw units may be used either with viseattachments or with C-clamps.

A still further object of the invention is to eliminate the necessity oftools and to greatly minimize labor to change jaws forholding varioussize pipe, tubing, or hose. Merely by manually removing the jaw unit,another unit of a specific jaw size can be rapidly interchanged.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide interchangableinserts for jaw units permitting the same swivel unit to be used withvarious jaw sizes and configurations.

The invention utilizes two V -type units with their respective V-typeclamping surfaces opposed to each other. By virtue of their respectiveclamping surface angularity, relative position, and increased contactarea, they provide positive balanced clamping means which greatlyreduces marring and distortion, commonly caused by many conventionalclamping devices. The V-type units have attaching and securing means,such as, a high strength magnet in the base of each unit and set-screwsprotruding internally from its recessed base.

To convert a C-clamp into a curved-object clamping device, a V-type unitaccording to this invention (embodiment for a C-clamp) is placed andpositioned on the fiat surface of the screw terminal, usuallyswivelmounted, and the other V-type unit of the invention is placedoppositely onto the fiat matching surface of the C-clamp. Tightening theclamps screw mechanism assures positive holding of curved objects.

To utilize the invention on a machinists vise, a V- type unit accordingto the present invention (embodiment for a machinists vise) is placed onand attached to each jaw of the vise by securing means, such as, a highstrength magnet in the base of each unit or set screws held in andprotruding internally from its recessed base. Tightening the vise sscrew mechanism assures positive holding of a curved object.

To utilize the invention on a woodworkers vise, a V- type unit accordingto the invention (embodiment for a woodworkers vise) is placed on andattached to each flat jaw of the vise by securing means, such as,magnetic attraction provided by high strength magnets in the base ofeach unit. Tightening the vise s screw mechanism assures positiveholding of a curved object.

Two curved objects such as pipes, tubes, or rods can be positioned andpositively held at any angle relative to each other by means of a swivelmount incorporated into the V-type units. This is an alternateembodiment of the invention mentioned above for attachment ontomachinists and woodworkers vise-jaws. This embodiment of the inventioncan also be attached to a C- clamp. It is most effectively used with aC-clamp however, if the C-clamps swivel terminal is not allowed topivot.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a base support unit,composed of a non-ferrous material equipped with permanent magnetsfor'attachment to a machinists or a woodworkers vise, which houses acylindrical, non-ferrous, magnetically attachable holding jaw unit. Thebase support unit is equipped with a ferrous disk at the base of itscylindrical bore. The jaw unit housing a permanent magnet is held to thebase support unit by magnetic attraction and is capable of 360 rotation.

Merely by manually rotating the jaw unit of one or two such embodimentsattached to vise-jaws, one or two round objects such as pipe, tubing, orflexible hose may be positively held at any angle with respect to eachother by tightening the vises screw mechanism.

The jaw unit may be removed from the base support unit merely bymanually pulling the components apart and breaking the magneticattraction. Various size, V- type or facing arc, jaw units may bequickly interchanged without need of tools or excessive labor.

The same magnetically attachable jaw units may be used with C-Clamps forholding round objects, such as pipe, tubing, flexible hose et cetera.

Various sizes of holding jaws can be utilized for specific applications.For example, jaw units can be formed in a range of sizes peculiar toplastic pipe, copper tubing, flexible hydraulic hose, or glass tubing.

Also as another embodiment of the invention the jaw units mayincorporate inserts which likewise can range insizes peculiar to variouspiping and tubing materials.

Although the invention is specifically described herein for use withC-clamps, machinists and woodworkers vises, it is by no means solimited. The invention can be attached to, or be constructed into andbecome part of any of the clamping devices mentioned and clampingdevices other than the already mentioned woodworkers and machinistsclamps.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following specifications, drawings, and claims set forth herein.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference isnow made to the detailed description which follows and to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention showing aswivel type, magnetically held jaw unit and base assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 1 showing details of the swivel type magnetically held jaw unit andbase assembly.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention showing aswivel type, magnetically held jaw unit with means for inserting andholding interchanable jaw inserts. I

FIG. 4' isan isometric view of a jaw insert for FIG. 3 a facing arc.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, vise-jaw attachment assembly 32 comprises acylindrically shaped clamping unit 25 and a support base 11.

Support base 11, composed of a non-ferrous material is rectangularlyshaped and longitudinally recessed to form slot 12 for ease ofattachment to a machinists vise.

Support base 11 is magnetically attached to a vise jaw, not shown. I

Base 11 is also laterally recessed, forming openings 13 and 14 forhousing permanent magnets 15 and 16. Into openings 13 and 14, permanentmagnets 15 and 16 are fitted and attached by any convenient expedientsuch as, press fit, glue, or set screw. Magnets 15 and 16 are slightlyless in height than the depths of openings 13 and 14 respectively,providing a slight clearance, 17 and 18, between magnets 15 and 16 andflat surface 19. Therefore, compressive loading is transmitted throughflat surface 19 of base 11 and not through magnets 15 and 16, when thescrew mechanism of a vise (not shown), on which the device is mounted,is tightened.

Base 11 is also centrally and circularly recessed from the top surface,formingopenings 20 and 21.

Into circular opening 21 of base 11, a circular disk 22, composed offerrous material is fitted and attached by any convenient expedient,such as press fit or glue. The thickness of circular disk 22 is greaterthan the depth of circular opening 21, so that an outer portion 23 ofcircular disk 22, protrudes above contact surface 24 of base 11.

Circular opening 20 of base 11 accomodates swiveling V-type,cylindrically shaped clamping unit 25. Circular opening 20 is slightlylarger in diameter than clamping unit 25, providing a loose sliding fitbetween clamping unit 25 and base 11.

Clamping unit 25, composed of a non-ferrous material is recessed,forming circular opening 26 and opening 27 which houses permanent magnet28.

The height of permanent magnet 28 is equal to or slightly less than thedepth of opening 27 of clamping unit 25.

Magnet 28 is fitted and attached to clamping unit 25 by any convenientexpedient such as press fit glue, or

set screw.

Circular opening 26 of clamping unit 25 is slightly larger in diameterthan the diameter of protruding circular disk 22 and opening 26 isrecessed sufficiently for surface 29 of unit 25 to clear disk 22 whencircular contacting surface 30 of clamping unit 25 engages contactsurface 24 of base 11.

Clamping unit 25 is magnetically attached to base 1 1 by means ofmagnetic force of attraction between magnet 28 and disk 22. Clampingunit 25 is manually rotatable 360 within the confines of opening 20 ofbase 11. Circular wall 31 of opening 20 in base 11 prevents lateralmovement of clamping unit 25.

Clamping unit 25 is disengaged from base 11 by manually overcoming themagnetic force of attraction established between magnet 28 of clampingunit 25 and disk 22 of base 11. A slight tug releases clamping unit 25from base 11.

Each of two curved objects such as pipe, not shown, placed into twoswiveling clamping units, such as unit 25 in base 11, attached to eachvise-jaw, not shown, may be rotated to any desired angle with respect tothemselves in the same plane and positively held in this position bytightening the screw mechanism of the vise.

Upon disengagement of clamping unit 25 from base 11, clamping unit 25can readily be used with a C- elamp, not shown, as an attachment forholding round objects. Such use is disclosed in my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 126,471 for complete disclosure, describingembodiments of invention for use with C-clamps.

Although clamping unit 25 was been described above as having a V-typeclamping configuration, it is by no means so limited. The clamping meansof the invention may conform to the curvature of various curved objectssuch as the many varieties of pipe and tube sizes. Each clamping unit ofthe invention may be slightly less than semi-circular, matching theoutside diameter of the curved object to hold the object firmly when thescrew mechanism of the C-clamp, machinists or the workworkers vise istightened. This type of clamping configuration is especially useful forholding soft tubular material such as copper, aluminum, or plastic.

Two such vise-jaw attachment assemblies 32 should be utilized, oneattached to each vise jaw, when holding two round objects and whenclamping relatively soft tubular material, to prevent deformation.

Clamping unit 25 can be formed to receive and hold interchangeableholding jaws, of various sizes.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, clamping unit 25 is transverselyslotted, forming elongated, rectilinear openings 40 and 41. The width ofrectilinear opening 41 is greater than the width of rectilinear opening40 thereby forming a transverse, T-shaped slot 42 through clamping unit25.

Into T-shaped slot 42 of clamping unit 25 fits insert 44. Insert 44 isformed into a T-Shaped configuration 50 identically matching T-shapedslot 42 of clamping unit 25; but is slightly smaller to provideclearance. T- shaped configurationSO is sufficiently smaller then slot42 to provide a sliding fit for ease of insertion of. insert 44 intoslot 42 of clamping unit 25.

Insert 44 is secured to unit 25 by setscrew 45 which fits into drilledand tapped hole 46 of unit 25. Conical tip 47 of set screw 45 matchesand fits into conical recess 48 of insert 44, providing a locking meansto avoid escape of insert 44 from unit 25.

Insert 44 is formed with facing arc 49 slightly less than 180corresponding to a specific size pipe, tubing, or hose.

Although insert 444s shown with a facing arc 49, any holdingconfiguration may be utilized for a given specific application.

I claim:

1. An attachment for the jaws of a ferrous-metal holding devicecomprising:

a. a non-ferrous support base conforming to the configuration of saidjaws, said support base, when attached to a ferrous-metal holding devicehaving one face remote from, and one face adjacent a jaw of saidferrous-metal holding device;

b. magnetic means in the adjacent face for securing the support base toa jaw of a ferrous-metal holding device;

c. afirst cylindrical recess in the remote face of the support base anda second, smaller, centrally located cylindrical recess in said firstcylindrical recess;

d. a ferrous-metal disc secured within said second cylindrical recess;

e. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, removable, V-

faced clamping unit rotatably disposed within said first cylindricalrecess in the support base; and

f. separate, intergral magnetic means in the nonferrous, V-facedclamping unit for rotatably securing said clamping unit within the firstcylindrical recess, thereby permitting 360 planar rotation andself-alignment with respect to a work piece 6 2. An attachment inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the V-faced clamping unit comprises twoplanar surfaces adjacently positioned, forming a V-configuration, saidplanar surfaces joined at a common vertex, the included angle generatedbetween said planar surfaces being within the range of about to 3. In anassembly for holding a work piece wherein the work piece is held betweenclamping units mounted on each jaw of a ferrous-metal vise, theimprovement comprising:

a. a pair of clamping units each having a contoured holding member, saidclamping units being adapted to be mounted in opposing relationship onopposing jaws of a ferrous-metal vise, each of said clamping unitscomprising:

i. a non-ferrous support base having a first face conforming to theconfiguration of the jaw of a vise adapted to be adjacent said firstface,

ii. magnetic means in said first face for securing each support base toa jaw of a ferrous-metal vise,

iii. a first cylindrical recess in the second face of each support baseand a second, smaller, centrally located cylindrical recess in each ofsaid first cylindrical recesses,

iv. a ferrous-metal disc secured in each of said second recesses,

v. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, removable, contoured holdingmember rotatably disposed within each of said first cylindricalrecesses, and

vi.-separate, integral magnetic means in each nonferrous, contouredholding member for rotatably securing said contoured holding members intheir respective first cylindrical recesses, thereby permitting 360planar rotation by each of said holding members and self-alignment withrespect to a work piece clamped between said holding members in a planeperpendicular to the plane traversed by the jaws of the vise on whichthe clamping units are mounted.

4. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the contoured holdingmember comprises a V-faced clamping unit having two planar surfacesadjacently positioned, forming a V-configuration, said planar surfacesjoined at a common vertex, the included angle generated between saidplanar surfaces being within the range of about 60 to 120.

5. An attachment for jaws for a ferrous-metal holding device comprising:

a. a non-ferrous support base conforming to the configuration of saidjaws, said support base, when attached to a ferrous-metal holding devicehaving one face remote from and one face adjacent a jaw of saidferrous-metal holding device;

b. magnetic means in the adjacent face for securing the support base toa jaw of a ferrous-metal holding device;

c. a first cylindrical recess in the remote face of the support base anda second, smaller, centrally located cylindrical recess in said firstcylindrical recess;

d. a ferrous-metal disc secured within said second cylindrical recess;e. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, removable,

arc-faced clamping unit having an open face generating an arc of lessthan 180, said clamping unit being rotatably disposed within said firstcylindrical recess of the support base; and

f. separate, integral magnetic means in the nonferrous arc-face clampingunit for rotatably securing said clamping unit within the firstcylindrical recess, thereby permitting 360 planar rotation andself-alignment with respect to a work piece clamped thereby in a planeperpendicular to the plane traversed by the jaws of the ferrous-metalholding. device.

6. An attachment in accordance with claim wherein the non-ferrous,cylindrically shaped, removable arcface clamping unit comprises:

a. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped member rotatably disposed withinthe first cylindrical recess in the support base;

b. separate, integral magnetic means in said nonferrous member forrotatably securing it in said first cylindrical recess, said memberhaving a transverse slot for receiving an identically matching,interchangeable arc-faced clamping jaw; and

c. means for rigidlysecuring said interchangeable clamping jaw withinsaid slotted cylindrically shaped member. 7. An assembly in accordancewith claim 3 wherein the contoured holding member comprises a non 5ferrous, cylindrically shaped, arc-faced member having an open facegenerating an arc of less than 8. An assembly in accordance with claim 7wherein the arc-faced holding member comprises:

shaped member.

1. An attachment for the jaws of a ferrous-metal holding devicecomprising: a. a non-ferrous support base conforming to theconfiguration of said jaws, said support base, when attached to aferrous-metal holding device having one face remote from, and one faceadjacent a jaw of said ferrous-metal holding device; b. magnetic meansin the adjacent face for securing the support base to a jaw of aferrous-metal holding device; c. a first cylindrical recess in theremote face of the support base and a second, smaller, centrally locatedcylindrical recess in said first cylindrical recess; d. a ferrous-metaldisc secured within said second cylindrical recess; e. a non-ferrous,cylindrically shaped, removable, V-faced clamping unit rotatablydisposed within said first cylindrical recess in the support base; andf. separate, intergral magnetic means in the non-ferrous, Vfacedclamping unit for rotatably securing said clamping unit within the firstcylindrical recess, thereby permitting 360* planar rotation andself-alignment with respect to a work piece clamped thereby in a planeperpendicular to the plane traversed by the jaw of the ferrous-metalholding device.
 2. An attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein theV-faced clamping unit comprises two planar surfaces adjacentlypositioned, forming a V-configuration, said planar surfaces joined at acommon vertex, the included angle generated between said planar surfacesbeing within the range of about 60* to 120*.
 3. In an assembly forholding a work piece wherein the work piece is held between clampingunits mounted on each jaw of a ferrous-metal vise, the improvementcomprising: a. a pair of clamping units each having a contoured holdingmember, said clamping units being adapted to be mounted in opposingrelationship on opposing jaws of a ferrous-metal vise, each of saidclamping units comprising: i. a non-ferrous support base having a firstface conforming to the configuration of the jaw of a vise adapted to beadjacent said first face, ii. magnetic means in said first face forsecuring each support base to a jaw of a ferrous-metal vise, iii. afirst cylindrical recess in the second face of each support base and asecond, smaller, centrally located cylindrical recess in each of saidfirst cylindrical recesses, iv. a ferrous-metal disc secured in each ofsaid second recesses, v. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, removable,contoured holding member rotatably disposed within each of said firstcylindrical recesses, and vi. separate, integral magnetic means in eachnon-ferrous, contoured holding member for rotatably securing saidcontoured holding members in their respective first cylindricalrecesses, thereby permitting 360* planar rotation by each of saidholding members and self-alignment with respect to a work piece clampedbetween said holding members in a plane perpendicular to the planetraversed by the jaws of the vise on which the clamping units aremounted.
 4. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the contouredholding member comprises a V-faced clamping unit having two planarsurfaces adjacently positioned, forming a V-configuration, said planarsurfaces joined at a common vertex, the included angle generated betweensaid planar surfaces being within the range of about 60* to 120*.
 5. Anattachment for jaws for a ferrous-metal holding device comprising: a. anon-ferrous support base conforming to the configuration of said jaws,said support base, when attached to a ferrous-metal holding devicehaving one face remote from and one face adjacent a jaw of saiDferrous-metal holding device; b. magnetic means in the adjacent face forsecuring the support base to a jaw of a ferrous-metal holding device; c.a first cylindrical recess in the remote face of the support base and asecond, smaller, centrally located cylindrical recess in said firstcylindrical recess; d. a ferrous-metal disc secured within said secondcylindrical recess; e. a non-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, removable,arc-faced clamping unit having an open face generating an arc of lessthan 180*, said clamping unit being rotatably disposed within said firstcylindrical recess of the support base; and f. separate, integralmagnetic means in the non-ferrous arc-face clamping unit for rotatablysecuring said clamping unit within the first cylindrical recess, therebypermitting 360* planar rotation and self-alignment with respect to awork piece clamped thereby in a plane perpendicular to the planetraversed by the jaws of the ferrous-metal holding device.
 6. Anattachment in accordance with claim 5 wherein the non-ferrous,cylindrically shaped, removable arc-face clamping unit comprises: a. anon-ferrous, cylindrically shaped member rotatably disposed within thefirst cylindrical recess in the support base; b. separate, integralmagnetic means in said non-ferrous member for rotatably securing it insaid first cylindrical recess, said member having a transverse slot forreceiving an identically matching, interchangeable arc-faced clampingjaw; and c. means for rigidly securing said interchangeable clamping jawwithin said slotted cylindrically shaped member.
 7. An assembly inaccordance with claim 3 wherein the contoured holding member comprises anon-ferrous, cylindrically shaped, arc-faced member having an open facegenerating an arc of less than 180*.
 8. An assembly in accordance withclaim 7 wherein the arc-faced holding member comprises: a. anon-ferrous, cylindrically shaped member rotatably disposed within thefirst cylindrical recess in the support base; b. separate, integralmagnetic means in said non-ferrous member for rotatably securing it insaid first cylindrical recess, said non-ferrous member having atransverse slot for receiving an identically matching interchangeablecontoured face clamping jaw; and c. means for rigidly securing saidinterchangeable clamping jaw within said slotted, cylindrically shapedmember.